Motor lawn-mower.



W. H. (JOLDWELLr MOTOR LAWN MOWER. 1 21 10111011 FILED JUNE 1, 19111 Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

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W. H. GOLDWELL.

MOTOR LAWN MOWER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1911.

Panntea Apr. 22,1913.

4 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

v, g k? W( H. COLDWELL. MOTOR LAWN MOWER. APPLICATION FILEDYJUNE a, 1911.

Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' 'INVENTOR W. H. OOLDWELL. MOTOR LAWN MOWER. AP PLIGATION FILED JUNE 8, 1911.

Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 Original application filed February 14, 1911, Serial No. 608,543.

' 8, 1911. Serial No. 632,041.

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WILLIAM H. COLDWELL, OF NEVJBURGH, NEW YQRK MOTOR LAWN-MOWER.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Gonn- \\ELL, citizen of the United States, residing at Newburgh, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor Lawn-Mowers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact de-' scription of the invention, suclras will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an,,embodiment of the invent-ion which I have selected for the purposes of illustution and the invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 represents a right side elevation of a motor lawn mower embodying my invention with the cover plate for the gear casing removed. Fig. 2 a left side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the machine through the grass collecting box, taken online 44 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a. sectional view of the grass box taken on a line 5-5,- Fig. 4, extending longitudinally of the machine. Fig. 6 is a detail view partly in section of the gasolene supply tank and the portions of the handle structure adjar'cnt thereto. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the handle structur Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8. Fig. 7. l igfil) an enlarged view of the gear casing of the main tranu-iwith the closing plate removed.

I The object of my inventimi is to provide :1 simple and compact motor lawn mower which can be manufactured at comparatively; small expense. which can be steered and controlled by an operator walking in rear of the machine. in which the weight. is so distrlbuted that a very small amount olt Specification of Letters'latent.

1 the usual manner.

weight iscarricd by the front' wheels or 3 casters of the mower frame.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have selected an embodiment of the invention for purposes of illustration which consists of a motor lawn mower hereinafter described. said motor lawn mower being; shown pro vided with a cut grass receiving and discharging mechanism. The cut grass receiving and discharging mechanism. however.

l l i i I Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

forms no part of my present invention, as it is specifically described and claimed in my co-iending application for Letters Patent of the United States Serial No. 608,547, filed Feb. 14, 191.1, of which this applic'ition is a division.

In the drawings which show an embodiment of the invention selected by me for purposes of illustration. 1 represents a combined traction and lawn -rolling roller. which may be made in one section but which is preferably made in two sections, to facilitate turning the machine, said roller being adapted to sustain practically the entire weight of the machine including the frame carrying the cutting mechanism, as hereinafter set forth.

Upon the axle 2 of the roller 1 is mounted the main or motor carrying frame, comprising the side plates 3, 4: each having forward horizontal extensions or bars 3*, andrearward upwardly curved extensions or bars 3*, the said side frames being connected by suitable transverse bars as 5, 6 and 7 to form a strong and rigid frame. The bars 5 and 6 are shown in dotted lines in the drawing. The side plates 3 and 4 are provided with suitable hearings which engage the main shaft or axle 2 of the roller 1, and the roller sections (or which there may be any desired number) are mounted on said axle. and connected thereto by means of the well known ditierential gearing. or the equally well known pawl and ratchet wheel mechanism by means of which one section may be rotated at greater speed than another or the other. in turning the machine.

Upon the main frame is mounted a suitable motor. and I prefer to provide an radiator '10 and fan 11 connected with the water jacketed portions of the engine in The side plate 3 is preterablv provided with a ,marginal flange forming a gear casing to contain the driv ing connections for the roller. which casing is closed by a cover plate (not shown) secured in position by suitable screws or bolts so that the case may be filled with grease or oil to insure proper lubrication of the gearing.

T2 is the engine shaft which extends into the gear case and is provided with a worm l3 moshing with a worm wheell l. loosely mounted on a ertical shaft 15; mounted Divided and this application filed June in bearings in the gear casing and provided with oppositely disposed bevel pinions 17 and 18 loosely mounted to the shaft, and engaging a bevel gear 19 on the main shaft or axle 2 of the roller. Each of the said pinions is provided with a clutch member, to engage one of the clutch members of a double clutch 16, mounted to slide on a key or spline on the shaft 15. In order to relieve the mechanism from undue shock when the roller is connected with the motor, I prefer to interpose a friction device between the worm wheel 14 and the shaft 15. In

I this instance the worm wheel 14 is provided ternul conical friction surface engaged by a conical male clutch member 21, secured to theshaft by a key or spline and movable longitudinally thereof, the two friction members being. normally held in engagement by a spring 22. \Vhen the motor is thrown into gear with the roller this friction clutch permits a slight slip if necessary in starting the roller, and as soon as the roller has acquired the desired amount of motion imparted by the gearing the clutch will hold and the-roller will be continuously driven until the motor is disconnected.

23 represents av shifting lever pivoted to the side plate 3, and having one end in operative engagement with the double clutch 16, the other end being provided with two curved arms 24, 24 each having near its extremity a stop lug 25.

26 represents an eccentric mounted on a rock "shaft 26 jorrnaled in the side plate 3 and located between the arms 24, 24 and said eccentric is also provided with arms or projections 27, 27 each of which carries an adjustable stop, in the form of a set screw 28, adapted to engage the stops 25 and arrest the eccentric when the double clutch has been movedinto firm engage ment with the clutch member of either of said pinions 17, 18. When' the eccentric is member with the clutch member on pinion.

18, which will cause the roller 1 to be driven in the opposite direction. When the eccentrio is in its median position, the shaft 15 and the double clutch rotate without driving the roller 1.

The rock shaft 26 is provided with an operating arm 29 connected by a link 30, with a pivoted hand lever 31, mounted nected with said pawl for releasing the same. \Vhen the lever 31 is in its central position the eccentric 26 and double clutch 16 are in their neutral positions, and said lever may be moved forwarder backward to operate the double clutch as before described, so as to drive the roller forward or backward as desired.

In practice I prefer to provide the-rear end of the rearward extensions 3 with a ring shaped part forming the locking segment, and to secure thereto a circular casting 3 which is bolted thereto and provided with a recessed portion in which the hand lever is pivoted as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The inner face of the casting 3 is provided with a recessed portion'to receive one end of a gasolene tank 9 (see Fig. 6) and the periphery of the casting 3 is provided with an annular flange 3. The extension 4" is similarly formed with acircular portion (52 provided on its upper portion with looking notches 64 to form a locking-segment, and a similar casting 4 provided with an exterior flange 4 and a recess to receive the other end of the gasolene tank- 9, is bolted to the part 62.

j 40, 40 represent handles each having a versely threaded and connected by'areversely threaded sleeve 45. By adjusting the sleeves 45 the handles 40 can be raised or lowered to suit different operators, as will be readily understood. The tank.9 i's connectedb'v a suitable pipe with the car bureter oftl-ie motor, and being located so far in-rear of the axis of the roller, its weight tends to exert a lifting force on the front part of the machine as hereinafter described.

Between the' forward extensions 3, 4 of the main frame is secured a mower frame 50 comprising side plates connected by suitable cross bars. The sides of each of the plates are provided with upwardly extending pucmean 1 jections terminating in lateral projections 51 which rest upon the adjacent extensions 3 or 4 and the frame 50 is rigidly secured to said extensions by suitable screws or bolts engaging slots 52, 52 in said extensions, so that the frame 50 can be adjusted toward and from the roller 1 for the purpose of seourin the desired adjustment of the weight, an also forthe purpose of tightening the chain which drives the rotary cutter. The'foravard end of the mower frame 50 is provided with caster Wheels the shanks of which are pivotally mounted in blocks 54 adapted to slide vertically in guides provided at the forward ends of the side plates of the mower frame, said blocks being each provided with a rack on its front face ongaged by a pinion on a. shaft 56, extending across the frame 50 and journaled therein. The shaft 56 is provided with an operating arm 57 which is connected by a link 'or rod 58 to one end of a lever 59 pivoted centrally at the rear end of the side plate 4, of the motor frame, and a second link 60 connects the other end of lever 59 with a hand lever 61, pivoted to the casting 1 adjacent to the ring portion F2 of the rea 1' extension t", which is provided with looking notches (it. The hand lever 61 is provided with a locking pawl $3 and spring actuated releasing rod 65 in like manner as the hand lever 31. By means of the hand lever 61 the shaft 56 can be rocked to raise and lower the mower frame and front end of the motor frame and thereby regulate the heightof cut and also lift the cutting devices well above the ground when desired, as in moving the machine from place to place without cutting, or when it is desired to use it a roller merely.

The mower frame is provided with cutting mechanism consisting in this instance of a stationary knife 69 and with a rotary cutter 73, the shaft 71 of which is provided with a sprocket wheel 72 connected by a chain 73 with a sprocket 74 on the motor shaft 1-2, (or a shaft driven therefrom) and I prefer to provide afriction device between the motor and the rotary cutter to'prevent injury to the mechanism in case of the sudden stopping of the cutter.. In this inl stanceI have shown the motor shaft provided with a positive clutch member 7 (see Fig. movable longitudinally of but turn ing with the shaft and operable by a clutch lever 76 into and out of engagement with a clutch member 77 to which is secured a friction 'cone 78, engaging a female friction member '7 9 secured to the sprocket wheel 74, the friction members being held in en gagement by a spring 80.

I also preferto provide the machine with a rass catching device,-so constructed as to be readily -.rletacliable, and which in the omhddiinent of the invention here illustrated, is constructed as follows: 81 represents a metallic receptacle provided with top,'bottom and front and rear walls, and having a hinged door 82 at one or both ends. I have shown it provided with a hinged door at each end so that the cut grass may be delivered at either side The receptacle is so constructed that it can be dropped between the forward extensions 3*, 4 of themain frame," and be supported in position by projecting portions at each end which rest upon the said extensions, to which the receptacle may be detachably secured in any desired manner. The front wall of the'receptacle is provided with a receiving aperture 83 and with inclined deflectors 84, 85 adjacent thereto for guiding the cut grass from. the rotary cutter into the receptacle. Within the receptacle is a transversely movable expelling plate 86, mounted on suitable transverse guides secured to the receptacle. In this instance said plate is secured to sleeves 87 provided with .ball bearings engaging cylindrical guide rods 88. Flexible connections 89, 89 are coni'lectcd to the plate 86 and extend in opposite directions therefrom around pulleys 90. 90 mounted on the receptacle and thence to a drum 91 upon which they are reversely wound. The drum is mounted on a shaft 92, in. alinement with a shaft 93 mounted on the motor frame, and. said shafts are connected by any desired form of readily detachable shaft coupling 94,

which in this instance comprises two disks secured to the meeting ends of the shafts. the one disk provided with projections adapted to fit into recesses in the other disk. By this means the grass box or receptacle can be removed very readily from the machine if desired. The shaft is provided with a beveled friction wheel 95 and the engine shaft is provided with a longitudinaliy movable sleeve 96 keyed thereto carrying two mounted bevel friction wheels 97. 98, for engaging the wheel 95 when it is desired to move the expelling plate in either direction. 99 represents a shifting lever pivoted to the motor frame, connected to said sleei e 96 at one end. and having its other end extending rearward to a point within -eas v reach of the operator. By throwing said lever in one direction or the other. it is obvious that the expelling plate can be caused to move in either direction from one end of the receptacle to the other. and the cut grass will be expelled with considerable force. one of the swinging doors opening by the pressure of the cut grass on the side toward which the expelling plate is moved. Any suitable means may be provided to hold the lever 99 normally in its median position for example, a spring latch 100, as shown in Fig. 3;

When the machine is operated, the torque of the motor in driving the roller 1 will produce a reaction upon themotor frame which tends to lift the front portion thereof. In

practice I adjust the weight of the machine with respect to the axis of the roller, so that there is comparatively little weight upon the caster-wheels 53 and when the machine -1S in operation the torque of the engine will means the caster wheels are prevented from marking or indenting the lawn, which is a very desirable feature in motorlawn mowers, and the weight being so nearly balanced over the axle of, the roller 1, the operator can lift the caster wheels entirely from the ground, by depressing the handles if de sired, as in turning the machine, or rolling soft ground or lawns or in rolling a flat surface like a tennis court where any impression of the caster wheels would be objectionable. I The caster wheels thus serve merely the purpose of regulating the height of cut, and to that end must be in light but positive engagement. with the ground when the grass is being cut. I

The mower frame is readily detachable from the main frame by simply removing the screws which engage the slots 52, and if desired the mower frame can be removed and a similar frame provided with a rotary brush in place of the rotary cutter, can be attached, and the brush operated by means of the chain 13, to sweep the surface traversed if desired.

- What I c aim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2* 1,. In a motor lawn mower, thecombihation with a motor carrying frame, a motor carried thereby, and a roller connected with the motor carrying frame adjacent .to its rear end, of a separate mower frame, rigidly and detachably connected with themotor ca r'ying frame forward of said roller, cutting mechanism including a rotary cutter and a stationary knife, carried by the mower frame, rotary ground engaging devices for regulating the height of cut of the cutting mechanism connected with said mower frame, independently of the motor carrying frame, and forming with said roller the sole supports for the motor carrying frame, and operative connections between the motor and the roller, and between the motor and the rotary cutter of said cutting mechanism, and

means for adjusting the mower frame longitudinally in respect to the motor carrying frame whereby the relation of the said rotary ground engaging devices and the cutting mechanism is not affected by the longitudinal adjustment of the mower frame with respect to the motor frame.

2. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a. motor carrying frame, provided with forwardly extending arms, a traction roller secured to the motor carrying frame adjacent to its rear end, and a motor carried by said frame, of a mower frame located beneath said forwardly extending arms, cutting mechanism carried thereby, and com prising a rotary cutter and a stationary knife, and rotary ground engaging devices secured to the mower frame independently of the motor frame, said mower frame having vertically disposedarms engagingthe for 'ardly extending arms of the motor frame, and connecting bola secured to the arms of one of said frames and engaging horizontally disposed slots in the arms of the other frame, connections'between the motor and said traction roller and connections between the motor and said rotary'cutter.

3. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a motor carrying frame, a motor carried therebyand traction roller, supporting said frame and the motor, and a mower frame carrying cutting mechanism connected with said motor frame, of handle supporting levices'co1niected with the motor frame and provided with' cylindrical parts, steering handles provided with. curved portions engaging said cylindrical parts and extending more than half wayaround the same to form pivotal connections therewith, and means for adjustably holding said handles in fixed relation with the motor frame.

4. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a motor carrying frame, a motor carried thereby and a traction roller, supporting said frame and the motor and a mower frame carrying cutting mechanism connected with said motor frame, of handle supporting devices connected with the motor frame and provided with cylindrical parts, steering handles provided with curved por tions engaging said cylindrical parts and extending more than half way around the same to form pivotal connections therewith, transversely disposed connections between said handles and adjustable braces for supporting said handles in fixed relation with themotor frame.

In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a traction and lawn rolling roller, of a main frame supported thereby, a motor mounted on said main frame, operative cOnnections between said motor and said roller, including clutch mech'anism, said main frame having rearwardly disposed extensions provided with cylindrical portions, a pair of handles provided with curved portions engaging said cylindrical portions and extending more than half way around-the same. adjustablebraces connected to said handles, at a distance from their connection with said cylindrical portions, a mower frame secured to said mainframe andprooss vided with rotary gr ound engaging de vices, cutting mechanism harried by said mower frame, and operative -connections from the motor to said cutting mechanism.

6. In a motor lawn mower having a motor frame and amower frame, rotary ground. engaging devices for support-ingsaid frames and regulating the height of cut and a motor carried by said motor frame, of a pair of arms extending rearwardly from the mot r frame and provided each with a cylindrical part, a fuel tank supported between said cylindrical parts and operatively connected with the motor, a pair of handles having curved portions extending more than half way around said cylindrical parts, and means for adjustably securing said handles rigidly with respect to the motor carrying frame.

7. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the motor carrying frame, providedwith a supporting roller and a motor carried bysaid frame and operatively connected with said roller, a mower frame connected with said motor frame, vertically movable rotary ground engaging devices forward of the cutting mechanism connected to the mower frame independently of the motor frame, for regulating the height of cut, of means for vertically adjusting said rotary round engaging devices in the mower rame, an operating lever therefor mounted on the rear extensions of the motor carrying frame, connections between said leyer'and said adjusting means, and means for locking the said leverand adjusting means in fixed position.

.8. In a motor lawn mower, the comhina tion with the motor carrying frame, provided with a forwardly extending portion and with rear extensions, a ground engaging roller supporting said frame, a motor carried by the said frame and operatively connected with said roller, of separate mower frame rigidly secured to the forwardly extending portion of the main frame, and carrying a stationary ltnife and a. rotary cutter, vertically movable rotary ground engaging devices connected. to the mower frame independently of the main frame, means for adjusting said rotary ground engaging devices vertically with respect to the mower frame, handles secured to the rear extensions of said motor frame, and a hand operated controlling device located adjacent to saidhandles and operatively connected with said adjusting mechanism.

9. In a motor lawn mower, the combina tion with the motor carrying frame, provided with a sup orting rollerand a motor carried by said f fame and operatively con nected with saidroller, said motor carrying frame having rear extensions, 21 mower frame connected with said motor frame, and vertically movable rotary ground engaging devices forward of the cutting mechanism for regulating the height of cut, of means for yertically adjusting said rotary ground engziging devices, vertically adjustable handles secured to said rear extensions, and a hand operated controlling device supported by said rear extensions of the motor carrying frame and operatively connected with the said adjusting mechanism, whereby said ,controlling device and its connections will not he adopted by the vertical adjustment of the handle.

.10. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the motor carrying frame, provided with a supporting roller, anda motor carried by said frame and operatively connected. with said roller, said motor carrying frame having rear extensions, a mower frame connected with said motor frame, and vertically movable rotary ground engaging devices forward of the cutting mechanism for regulating the height of cut, of means for vertically adjusting said rotary ground engaging devices, vertically adjustable handles secured to said rear extensions of the motor carrying frame, hand operated controlling means, operatively connected with the motor supported by said rear extensions, whereby said controlling means and its connections will not be affected by the vertical adjustmentof the handle. i

ll. In motor lawnmower, the combination with the motor carrying frame provided with ground eilgaging supporting devices, cutting mechanism, a motor and driving connections for propelling the machine and operating the cutting mechanism, of

connected with the motor provided with cylindrical rear DY ensions carrying frame portions, vertically adjustable handles having portions extending more than half Way around said cylindrical portions, adjustable devices for holding said handles rigidly in adjusted position, and a cont-rolling device secured to one of said rear extensions and connected with control devices on the motor.

12. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the motor carrying frame provided with ground engaging supporting devices, cutting mechanism, a n otor nd driving connections for propelling the machine and operating the cutting mechanism, of rear extensions connected with the motor carrying frame provided with cylindrical portions, vertically adjustable han'dles having portions extending more than half Way around said cylindrical portions, adjustable dc *ices for holding said handles rigidly in adjusted position, a controlling lever pivoted to one of said rear extensions and provided with a locking segment, connections from said lever to the control devices of the motor, an adjusting mechanism for raising and owering the cutting mechanism from the ground, a lever secured to the other of said rear extensions and provided with a locking pawl and segment and connections between said lever and said adjusting mechanism. V

- 13. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a traction and lawn rolling roller, of a main frame carried thereby, a motor mounted on said main frame, operative connections from-said motor to said roller ineluding clutch mechanism, rear extensions from said main frame provided with looking segments and with cylindrical portions provii-led with sockets for engaging and supporting a fuel tank, a cylindrical fuel tank located between and having its ends supported in said sockets, handles having cura ed portions engaging said cylindrical portions and extendlng more than half Way around the same, adjustable braces engaging said handles for holding them normally against vertical movement with respect to said rear extensions, cross braces for said handles, a mower frame connected with the main frame forward of the said roller and provided with rotary ground engaging devices, means for vertically adjusting said devices, cutting mechanism carried by said main frame, operative connections between said motor and said cutting mechanism, hand levers pivotally mounted adjacent to said locking segments, connections from one of said hand levers tosaid clutch mechanism and connections between the other of said hand levers, and the adjusting means for the ground engaging devices of the mower 

